Here's Why You'll Need to Be Patient with Luther Burden

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Burden's big strike came late in the first quarter, when he hauled in a 65-yard catch-and-run TD on a flea flicker. The rookie drew just two other targets for the game, though, and continued to run fourth among Chicago WRs in playing time.

Burden's 17 total snaps still trailed No. 3 WR Olamide Zaccheaus by 17, and his nine pass routes trailed Zaccheaus by eight.

That 31% route rate did mark a high for Burden on the young season, according to Pro Football Focus. That followed rates of 21.3% and 12.2% the first two weeks.

Zaccheaus, however, also saw a season-high 57.6% snap share in the Dallas game. The veteran has also been the only Bear to run most of his pass snaps from the slot. Here's that share for each of the top four wideouts:

• Zaccheaus -- 76.8%
• Rome Odunze -- 34.2%
• Burden -- 32.0%
• D.J. Moore -- 31.5%

We'll see whether the rookie starts to eat into Zaccheaus' playing time. That certainly looks like the most vulnerable spot among the top three.

But Burden will need to get more playing time before he'll make sense for any lineups outside the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Waiver Wire Target

Burden hit Monday available in 74% of Sleeper leagues. He's not a must-add off Sunday's big numbers, but he's a solid stash if you have room.

Besides potentially competing with Zaccheaus for snaps, the rookie would stand to benefit from an injury to Moore or Odunze.